Tightener for cars sides.



W. E. FOWLER, SR.- TIGHTBNER FOR GAR SIDES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 23, 1912.

* 1,079,331, Patentd Nov. 25, 1913.

- at Chicago,

UNITED sT TEs PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM E. FOWLER, SR., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE FOWLER CAR COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

TIGHTENER FOR CAR SIDES.

Application filed September 23, 1912. Serial No.

Patented Nov. 25, 1913. 721,877.

of a slight modification of the lower end construction, taken on the line H of Fig. l; and, Fig. 5 is a section takenon the line 5-5 ofFig. 1.

Referring more particularly to the draw ings it will be seen that the car of my invention is composed of the usual elements including a channel side sill l0, Z-bar top sill j 11, corner angles 12, Z-bar vertical posts 13 and diagonals 14. An angle 15 adjoins the corner angle 12, the two angles forming the support for the ladder rungs. It will be seen that the car side is composed of a single thickness of boards 16, placed edge to edge; also that the angular frame members of the car are slotted, bolts'l7 forming the securing means for the sides. I

The tightening means of my invention comprise a rod 18, having a broad fiat, hooked upper end 19. This is hooked over the top board and may if desired be secured to such board by means of a lag bolt 20. In I order to avoid any interference with the side frame members, the rods are located, as shown, underneath the outstanding leg 13 of the vertical Z-bars, and, if a tightening rod is required at the end of the car, such rod is located alongside the ladder angle. It will be seen that the rods may be located at any of the points shown without slotting the diagonals or interfering with the corner gussets. This is important both in the interest of economy and in the adaptability of the means for cars already in service.

I have shown two forms of abutments against which the tightening nut may seat at the lower end of the rod, both providing for ready accessibility. The form shown sp cifically in Fig. 2 and at of Fig. 1 comprisesmerely 21, the hood engaging the lower flange of the channel side sill 10. The forging is properly apertured, the rod lying against the web of the channel; by thus placing the rod, the nut may exert a portion of its force in line with the channel instead of applying a bending force to the overhung end of the forging or casting 21. If desired, the overhung end of the part 21 may project out beneath and having a bearing on the leg 13 of the side stake 13. Thus the forging is supported at both ends.

It may be desirable in applying the tightening means to cars in course of construction to employ the form shown in Figs. t and 5 To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM E. FOWLER, S12, a citizen of the United States, residing in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tighteners for Car Sides, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to railway cars and has particular reference to means for tightening the sides and ends of single sheathed box cars such as shown in my earlier Patent No. 962,425. In the operation of such single sheathed cars it has been found necessary to provide some means for taking up shrinkage or warping in order that such cars shall be adapted for the transportation of grain and similar material. Means for securing this tightening effect are shown in my earlier patent before mentioned, the tightening straps being located on theinterior of the car. This is objectionable to some railroads in that a plane surface is not possible for an objection is made also the tightening nut at the end of the strap. With the strap located on the interior of the car the lower end must be located behind the side sill in an inaccessible position. Furthermore the side sill must e weakened by removing portions of the metal to provide an aperture for the end of the strap.

This invention has for a the provision of tightening rods on the exterior of the car side, together with easily accessible means for tightening the sides, all without weakening the side sill or any of the car frame.

In view of the objections to the heretofore known tightening means have been sent out without any means for taking up shrinkage. The construction described herein is particularly adapted for application to such cars without dismantling or disturbing the sides, other than the top board.

The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a single sheathed car showing my invention applied thereto; Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section on the line 22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional detail of the upper end construction; Fig. 4 is a detail principal object a hooked forging e the left-hand side 7 of the vertical and at the center of Fig. 1. In this I eontemplate bridging the space between the webs I and diagonal Z-bars 13 and M by means of a plate 22 suitably riveted or otherwise secured. This plate being apertured the rod may extend therethrough, the plate providing an excellent abutment for the nut. This form may be easily applied to cars already in service, without riveting or bolting by merely bridging the space between the two webs with a fiat plate. Even assuming the loosening of the nut, the rod cannot swing outward or escape, it being seated behind the leg 13 of the Z-bar.

It will be understood that while I have shown the tightening means as applied to a car having Z-bar exterior framing, it is equally adaptable to cars having framing composed of other commercial shapes, the gist of the invention being the application of exterior tightening means, the tightening nut being readily accessible as required. It will be understood also that while I have described and shown the improvement as applied to the side walls of a car, it may be equally well applied to the end walls thereof.

I claim:

1. In a car having exterior framing and an inner wall, the combination. of tightening means secured over the top of the wall and passing down over the outer surface of the wall, and an abutment located exteriorly of the car wall for a tightening nut, the arrangement being such that the nut is exposed to the exterior of the car, substantially as described.

2. In a car, the combination of side walls and an exterior framing, of a tightening rod hooked over the upper edge of a wall, an abutment projecting outwardly from the car side sill and providing a bearing for a tightening nut exteriorly of the car wall, substantially as described.

3-. In a car, the combination of side walls and an exterior framing, of a tightening rod hooked over the upper edge of a wall, an abutment hooked to the ear side sill and projecting outwardly therefrom, thereby providing a bearing exteriorly of the car wall for a tightening nut on said rod, substantially as described.

WILLIAM E. FOWLER, SR.

Witnesses:

HENRY M. HUXLEY, MILTON T. MILLER.

I i .-\s A i e V a H i A r i (iopieii 61 this patent may be obtained for f ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Wa Sh ifigtbn, D. C. I 

